“If I Must Die, You Must Live:”
An International Teach-in on War, the Death Penalty, Political Imprisonment, and the Palestinian Genocide
“If I Must Die, You Must Live:”
An International Teach-in on War, the Death Penalty, Political Imprisonment, and the Palestinian Genocide
*The quoted words are from the poem, “If I Must Die,” by Dr. Refaat Alareer. Dr. Alareer was murdered by an Israeli airstrike on December 7, 2023.
We shall not abandon our fighters and leave them disaffected and alienated, succumbing to helpless rage and marginalized reaction. We shall hold them dear in our hearts and minds, for that is where they belong and there is where they shall live forever.
Samah JabR
On October 9, the apartheid state of Israel issued a complete siege on Gaza, and declared that it would cut off the people of Gaza's access to electricity, food, and water. Gaza is home to 2.4 million Palestinians - 1.1 million of these people are children. On October 17, Israel bombed Al Ahli Arab Hospital, executing 500 people.
Western imperialist powers across the globe have shown their approval of Israel's extermination campaign against the Palestinians in multiple forms.
The US has sent its warships and military aircrafts to Israel, and has expressed that it will provide Israel with the necessary support to succeed n its siege on Gaza. It has already provided $158 billion in aid to Israel since 1948. France and Germany banned all protests against the systematic mass murder of Palestinians.
On the day that this statement is issued, the total number of reported Palestinians murders due to the siege is 3,478, which includes over 1,000 children.
The Texas People's Tribunal firmly opposes the death penalty and all forms of state-sanctioned violence that cause the premature deaths of oppressed peoples- including genocide.
The Texas People's Tribunal is in solidarity with the people of Palestine. We unequivocally support their right to self-determination and to defend against state oppression.
We call on all death penalty abolitionist organizations to act on their principles and demand an end to the blockade of Gaza, and an end to the genocidal executions of the Palestinian people.
October 19, 2023
Our Statement on Palestine
We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.
Nelson MAndela
In October, the apartheid state of Israel issued a complete siege on Gaza. People around the world are calling for an end for Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.
As abolitionists living in the death penalty capital of the world, we unequivocally support the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, self-defense, and life. We believe that it is imperative for death penalty abolitionists in the US to be in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Our three-part initiative aims to 1) explain the historical context of the Palestinian genocide; 2) assess the parallels between Israel and the US’s use lethal violence against racialized peoples; and 3) illustrate the urgency of redefining and strengthening international solidarity.
A three-Part Virtual Teach-In
Palestine & The Death Penalty:
Watch the recordings
Teach-in 1
History & Context
Palestine’s history is central to understanding Israel’s ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. Join us in our discussion about the colonization of Palestine, ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian peoples, and Israel’s methods of continuing its illegal occupation of Palestine.
Thursday, January 4, 2024 | 7PM CT
Teach-In 2
Gaza & Genocidal Executions
During this teach-in, we will discuss the link between genocide and the death penalty, and propose actionable steps that death penalty abolitionists can take to support an end to Israel’s genocidal executions.
Thursday, January 18, 2024 | 7PM CT
Teach-in 3
Redefining Solidarity
This teach-in will assess state technologies and their impact on targeted peoples. Additionally, this event will shed light on the legacy of solidarity between racialized peoples in the US and the Palestinian people. It will conclude with a discussion about the need for redefining and strengthening international solidarity.
Thursday, February 1, 2024 | 7PM CT
Contact
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In solidarity,
Texas People's Tribunal